Hes nothing but a low circus boy, anyway! she told Lucy Poole. And I dont think really well-bred girls would care to have anything to do with him.
Those who heard her laughed. They had known Trix Severns ways for a long time. She had been upon her good behavior; but it did not surprise her old acquaintances that she should act like this.
It made a difference to the Corner House girls, however, for it made their plans about going to Pleasant Cove uncertain.
The other girls knew that Trix had invited the Corner House girls for the first two weeks after graduation, and that Ruth had tentatively accepted. Therefore even Pearl Harrod who wanted Ruth and her sisters, herself scarcely knew whether to put in a claim for them or not.
Graduation Day was very near at hand; the very day following the closing of the Milton High, several family parties were to leave for the seaside resort which was so popular in this part of New England.
They had to pass through Bloomingsburg to get to it, but when the Kenways had lived in that city, they had never expected to spend any part of the summer season at such a beautiful summer resort as Pleasant Cove.
It was a bungalow colony, with several fine hotels, built around a tiny, old-fashioned fishing port. There was a still cove, a beautiful river emptying into it, and outside, a stretch of rocky Atlantic coast on which the ocean played grim tunes during stormy weather.
This was as much as the Corner House girls knew about it as yet. But they all looked forward to their first visit to the place with keen delight. Tess and Dot were talking about the expected trip a good deal of the time they were awake. Most of their doll-play was colored now by thoughts of Pleasant Cove.
They were not too busy to help Mrs. MacCall take the last of the winter clothing to the garret, however, and see her pack it away in the chests there. As she did this the housekeeper sprinkled, with lavish hand, the camphor balls among the layers of clothing.
Dot had tentatively tasted one of the hard, white balls, and shuddered. But they do look so much like candy, Tess, she said. Then she suddenly had another thought:
Oh, Mrs. MacCall! what do you suppose the poor moths had to live on way back in the Garden of Eden before Adam and Eve wore any clothes?
Now, can you beat that ? demanded the housekeeper, of nobody in particular. What wont that young one get in her head!
Meanwhile Ruth was helping Rosa Wildwood all she could, so that the girl from the South would be able to pass in the necessary examinations and stand high enough in the class to be promoted.
Housework certainly told on Rosa. Bob said it jest seems t take th puckerin string all outn her an she jest draps down like
a flower.
Well help her, Mr. Wildwood, Ruth said. But she really ought to have a rest.
Hi Godfrey! ejaculated the coal heaver. I tell her she kin let the housework go. We dont have no visitors savin an exceptin you , maam.
But she wants to keep the place decent, you see, Ruth told him. And she can scarcely do that and keep up with her studies now. You see, shes so weak.
Hi Godfrey! exclaimed the man again. Aint thar sech a thing as bein a mite too clean?
But Bob Wildwood had an immense respect for Ruth; likewise he was grateful because she showed an interest in his last remaining daughter.
I tell you, sir, the oldest Corner House girl said, gravely. Rosa needs a change and a rest. And all us girls are going to Pleasant Cove this summer. Will you let Rosa come down, too, for a while, if I pay her way and look out for her?
The man was somewhat disturbed by the question. Yuh see, Miss, he observed, scratching his head thoughtfully, shes all I got. Id plumb be lost ithout Rosa.
But only for a week or two.
I know. And I wouldnt want tuh stand in her way. I crossed her sister too much thats what I did. Juniper was a sight more uppity than Rosa otherwise she wouldnt have flew the coop, said Bob Wildwood, shaking his head.
Ruth, all tenderness for his bereavement, hastened to say: Oh, youll find her again, sir. Surely you dont believe shes dead?
No. If she aint come to a bad end, shes all right somewhar. But shed oughter be home with her sister and with me. Ye see, she was pretty an smart. No end smart! She went off in bad compny.
How do you mean, Mr. Wildwood? asked Ruth, deeply interested.
Travelin folks. They had a van an a couple team o mules, an the man sold bitters an corn-salve. The woman dressed mighty fine, an she took Junes eye.
We follered em a long spell, me an Rosa. But we didnt never ketch up to em. If we had, Id sure tuck a hand-holt of that medicine man. He an his woman put all the foolishness inter Junipers haid.
An Rosa misses her sister like poison, too, finished Bob Wildwood, slowly shaking his head.
There seemed to be a mystery connected with the disappearance of Rosas sister, and Ruth Kenway was just as curious as she could be about it; but she stuck to her subject until Bob Wildwood agreed to spare his remaining daughter for at least a weeks visit to Pleasant Cove, while the Corner House girls would be there.